MIKE ZITO Source: Bradenton Herald Date: 07/2008 Writer: Rich Reeves

Mike Zito brings 'American music' to Aces

While the south side of Chicago may be better known for producing artists such as Muddy Waters and Bo Diddley, the south side of St. Louis has produced it's own talent, such as Chuck Berry, Sheryl Crow, and now current blues sensation Mike Zito.

Zito has been described as a blazing guitarist with an expressive vocal style. His new CD reflects that description, with finely crafted songs rooted in the blues, but with elements of soul, jazz and rock.

Zito is touring in support of his new CD, "Today," released on May 20. He has teamed up with Grammy Award-winning producers Tony Braunagel (B.B. King, Bonnie Raitt) and David Z. (Prince, Etta James) and a lineup of accomplished musicians who have played with various artists, including Raitt, Boz Scaggs, Joe Cocker, Steve Winwood, Crosby, Stills & Nash and Elton John. It's clear by the talent assembled for this CD that his new record company, Eclecto Groove, has a lot of faith in Zito's future.

We spoke with Zito during a phone interview from Galveston, Texas, where he was wrapping up a family vacation on the beach before heading out on tour. His busy tour schedule began at the Hard Rock Café in Biloxi, Miss., then travels through Atlanta and Florida, playing seven shows in nine days.

His wife of three years was with him in Biloxi. "We're enjoying hanging out together at the Hard Rock."

His conversation was as down to earth and sincere as the lyrics on his new CD. On the title song "Today," he sings "My life is simple, for that I'm grateful . . . with all my blessings, I can't be hateful." "Today" is actually a song about redemption. Early in his career, his relentless touring schedule left Zito with some demons he needed to deal with, which he details in "Long Dark Road" and "Change My Ways." Revitalized and refocused, Zito sounded excited about his new CD and tour.

"It's my first label release, first national release. It's really a collection of songs from all my CDs that I really like to play. I feel they're my best songs and are all originals, except the Prince song 'Little Red Corvette.' "

Growing up, Zito's older siblings gave him the taste for the blues. "I liked all rock 'n' roll growing up, the rock from the '60s and '70s, but my older brother and sister were listening to the blues and I just got more and more interested in it. After all, the blues is where rock 'n' roll came from," he said.

Although Zito's songs are clearly rooted in the blues, there's elements of other styles as well. "Well, I'm not sure if you've heard of Bugs Henderson, but he did an album called 'American Music,' and that pretty much summed it up to me. It's blues, it's country, and it's rock 'n' roll all rolled up in one . . . it's American music," he said.

Of today's artists he likes "what John Mayer is doing . . . and I like Sonny Landreth . . . I think he's really good," he said.
When it comes to his own music, he really likes playing "Slow It Down." "It's just got a good feel to it. And I like playing 'Hollywood.' It's upbeat and funky, and it's got a different groove to it . . . it's fun to play the guitar to," he said.

Zito promises a lively show. "We just try to do a good show and play all the songs on the record and more. It's a high-energy show from beginning to end," he said.

If you go
What: Mike Zito
When: 8 p.m. July 26
Where: Aces Lounge, 4343 Palma Sola Blvd., Bradenton
Tickets: $8 advance, $10 at the door
Information: 795-3886 or www.4aceslounge.com